Mission First...

Well, here we are on the eve of 2008. In a few short hours we will not have to talk about our warriors coming home next year. Soon we can say, they will be home this year. Sounds good doesn't it? For me, it sounds really good.

What do I remember most about 2007? As I look back across the 115 blogs I have written since Chris deployed I think it is safe to say we have all been through a lot of ups and downs, fear and heartache that goes with having your son or daughter deploy to a combat zone. However, we have also experienced great pride as we watched our men and women of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment perform marvelously in Baghdad. What professionals they are, eh?

We have talked about the McDonald Doctrine...battle rhythm...hearts and minds...train like you fight...combat patches...and so much more. Who would have thought we'd experience this much in just the first five months?

Embedded reporters...what insight they have provided to date. We rode along and got a feel for the fight through the eyes of David Smith, Guardian Unlimited and Seth Robson, Stars&Stripes. Thanks guys for the look - I wish I could write like you...

What will 2008 hold? For me, continued prayers for our warriors, looking forward to May when Chris will be home for his R&R...and then a trip to Germany in November to welcome the 2nd SCR home. I can't wait - how about you?

Before we get too far down the road let's make sure we don't lose sight of the fact that the 2nd SCR still has much to do in the Baghdad area. Here is the latest article describing the work of a combat medic. How important are these men and women? Life and death important...what more needs to be said?

Enjoy the article and here is wishing you and yours a Happy New Year. I would also like to say thank you to Ms. Marti for her efforts in building a wonderful, caring support group - well done ma'am!

Hold fast and check your battle rhythm ...we still have a ways to go.

A native of Port Angeles, Wash., Staff Sgt. Craig Sotebeer, an emergency care medic with the Medical Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, inspects the contents of his combat lifesaver bag at the 2nd SCR Troop Medical Center in preparation for a convoy mission, Dec. 28. Since combat medics are always on call in case of emergency, Sotebeer checks his equipment and vehicles daily. (U.S. Army photo/Pfc. Samantha Schutz)

By Pfc. Samantha Schutz
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Today’s Army is an interdependent network of Soldiers who are as unique as the jobs they do, with more than 150 military occupational specialties available to choose from.

When a unit deploys to a combat zone, the Soldiers within it depend on each other more than ever, along with their occupational knowledge, to keep operations running smoothly.

Staff Sgt. Craig Sotebeer, a native of Port Angeles, Wash., and an emergency care medic with Medical Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, said he has numerous duties both in the United States and while deployed, and he takes all of them seriously.

While his primary job as a medic is taking care of sick and injured troops, Sotebeer also performs maintenance on the Medical Troops’ gun trucks and forward land ambulances, which are the primary evacuation vehicles used when a convoy encounters an emergency.

“I go out on convoys more than any other medic in the Troop,” said Sotebeer. He said he is the combat medic for a Stryker team mission two or three times per week. Each group of three or more vehicles must include a medical vehicle.

It is extremely important for combat medics to check the vehicles and equipment daily in preparation for each mission, Sotebeer said.

When Sotebeer isn’t treating the troops, preparing for missions or out on a convoy, he spends a lot of time helping add on to the three-year-old building that serves as the 2nd Stryker Regiment’s Troop Medical Clinic. In the four months since he arrived in Iraq, Sotebeer has added a deck, some doors, a television cabinet and other repairs to the TMC.

However, construction is not one of Sotebeer’s hobbies when he’s not deployed, he said. He enjoys just spending time with his family.

Sotebeer has two sons and a daughter – David, Luka and Ella – with his wife of seven years, Dragana.

“Unfortunately, we’re getting used to me being deployed,” he said. During the eleven years Sotebeer has been in the Army, he has been deployed three times.

Although, he said he receives mail, almost daily, whether it’s a care package or a home video via e-mail.

“Personally, I have to keep myself really busy,” said Sotebeer. “I don’t take a lot of days off. That would just give me more time to think about missing my kids.”

Officially, Sotebeer works a 12-hour shift seven days a week, but he said he often stays at the TMC up to two hours after his work hours end. Combat medics are also constantly on call in case of emergency. With the stress from long work hours in a combat environment, Sotebeer said he has found it works best to “pace yourself.”

“Don’t try to be too ‘gung-ho’ right off the bat; pace your energy levels and your work schedule,” Sotebeer said he’d tell newly-deployed Soldiers, “otherwise you’ll run out of steam.”

Long Island, N.Y., native Maj. John McMurray, the commander of the Medical Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, described Sotebeer as “a true leader of Soldiers.”

“He not only has my full trust, but – more importantly – he has the full trust of his Soldiers,” McMurray said of Sotebeer. “He has trained them to be confident, technically proficient and capable medics.”

The lower-enlisted Soldiers who work at the TMC under Sotebeer’s guidance have a noticeable amount of respect for him and his knowledge, and he is always busy because he truly understands his duties, said McMurray.

As busy as Sotebeer keeps himself, he said he is grateful this tour in Iraq has been stable so far. During his last deployment, five of Sotebeer’s close friends were killed in action.

“This time it’s been good. Last time was pretty chaotic,” added Spotebeer, who prayed for a safe tour and getting it thus far.

Whether the conditions on the battlefield are chaotic or not, it is comforting to know there are Soldiers like Sotebeer who always place the mission first.

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Chris, I love you son and we are so proud of you. I remember your sacrifice every day - be safe and check in when you can.

Love, Dad

p.s.
Here are a couple of photos of 2nd SCR warriors that the info hounds provided...

Eyota, Minn., native, Spc Trey Lund, 21, with the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment from Visleck, Germany, shares a laugh with fellow infantryman, Pittsburgh native, Sgt. Thomas Brown, 29, as they wait for the opening ceremony of an Iraqi police station in Saha, Dec. 27. The ceremony was postponed.

American Samoa native, Sgt. Siatini Siatini, an infantryman with Recon Platoon, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, stands guard before a scheduled opening of an Iraqi police station in Saha, Dec. 27.